MADDELA, Quirino — Kusang sumuko sa mga pinagsanib na pwersa ng kapulisan at kasundaluhan ang isang dating high-ranking official ng New People’s Army sa Barangay San Dionisio I, Maddela, Quirino. Kinilala ito na si Alyas “Benson”, 42 anyos, may asawa, residente ng nasabing bayan, at dating Platoon Leader at Intelligence Officer ng Platoon Remo sa ilalim ng Komiteng Probinsiya ng Isabela (KOMPROB Isabela) ng Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley. Ayon sa ulat, ang sumukong rebelde ay itinuturing din bilang regional top one most wanted person dahil sa mga kinahaharap nitong kaso na kinabibilangan ng murder, attempted murder, attempted homicide, at direct assault. Kaugnay nito, kasabay ng kanyang pagbabalik-loob ay isinuko rin nito ang ilang armas at pampasabog sa mga awtoridad. Bagama’t idineklara nang insurgency-free ang buong Rehiyon Dos ay patuloy pa ring pinaiigting ng pamahalaan ang kampanya laban sa insurhensiya upang tuluyang mapanatili ang katahimikan at maiwasan ang muling pag-usbong ng armadong grupo sa rehiyon. Samantala, patuloy na isinusulong ni Gobernador Edgar “Manong Egay” Aglipay, bilang Chairperson ng Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) ang patuloy koordinasyon ng mga LGU, pulisya, at militar upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at kaayusan sa rehiyon kasunod ng deklarasyon na insurgency-free na ang Cagayan Valley. (Cagayan Information Office)      

By Mamerta de Castro   BATANGAS CITY, Batangas, Philippines (PIA) — The economy of CALABARZON expanded by 5.1% in 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) CALABARZON. Although lower than the 5.7% growth recorded in 2024, Manufacturing remained a key driver, contributing 1.9 percentage points to the region’s overall growth. Among the fastest-growing sectors were Human health and social work activities at 11.9%, Public administration and defense including compulsory social security at 8.6%, and Education at 8.5%. Based on industry growth rates from 2024 to 2025, CALABARZON continues to be the country’s leading industrial region. The Industry sector accounted for the largest share at 48.6% (P1.67 trillion), followed by Services at 47.1% (P1.62 trillion), and Agriculture, forestry, and fishing at 4.3% (P0.15 trillion). Records also show that out of the country’s 4.4% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2025, CALABARZON contributed 0.7 percentage point—the second highest among the country’s 18 regions. The region likewise ranked second in terms of share to national GDP at 14.3%. Meanwhile, exports of goods and services to the rest of the world posted the highest expenditure growth at 14.0% in 2025, followed by imports at 8.4% and gross capital formation at 6.2%. The region’s per capita Household Final Consumption Expenditure (HFCE) was estimated at P166,573, which is 12.5% higher than the national per capita HFCE of P148,034. (MPDC-PIA Batangas)      

LA UNION, Philippines — The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) reinforced its commitment to environmental stewardship as it took part in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of the Baroro River Watershed Management Council (BRWMC) on May 4, 2026, at the Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Convention Center, City of San Fernando, La Union. The initiative affirmed the PGLU’s recognition of the vital role of multi-sectoral stakeholders in the protection, rehabilitation, development, management, and utilization of resources within the Baroro River Watershed. Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega signed the MOA as the Council Co-Chairperson, with Engr. Cezar Manuel A. Cabansag of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources – Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO) La Union serving as Council Chairperson. The MOA signing was joined by 30 core members composed of local chief executives from the municipalities of Bacnotan, Bagulin, San Gabriel, San Juan, Santol, and the City of San Fernando, along with representatives from various national government agencies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and sectoral groups. The creation of the Council is pursuant to DENR Administrative Order No. 23, Series of 2005, which promotes ecosystem-based watershed management through a collaborative and integrative approach. This policy underscores active stakeholder participation and aims to establish a sustainable and multi-sectoral institution capable of addressing watershed-related concerns. Watershed management efforts ensure the responsible, economically viable, and socially acceptable use of natural resources. This approach aims to prevent further degradation, enabling the protective functions of affected watershed areas. Furthermore, DENR Administrative Order No. 41, Series of 2021, institutionalizes the formation of Watershed Management Councils in critical watersheds and proclaimed forest reserves. These councils serve as oversight and advisory bodies in watershed planning and the implementation of programs and projects. The BRWMC is envisioned to strengthen coordination and collaboration among Local Government Units (LGUs), National Government Agencies, Non-Government Organizations, People’s Organizations, and the private sector, thereby accelerating the achievement of sustainable watershed management goals.

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Nueva Vizcaya’s tourism sector continued to gain momentum, with overall visitor arrivals rising in 2025 and paying tourists increasing by 28.02 percent in the first quarter of 2026, the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office (PTCO) said. Provincial Tourism Officer Marichelle O. Costales told Monday’s flag‑raising ceremony that total tourist arrivals in the province rose 10.2 percent in 2025 compared with 2024. Day visitors and excursionists also rose by 5.4 percent, reflecting sustained interest in the province’s destinations and tourism activities, she said. In the first quarter of 2026, visitors reached 10,478, up from 8,185 in the same period last year. Costales thanked Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito for including tourism among his administration’s priority programs, saying the provincial government’s support has strengthened efforts to promote Nueva Vizcaya’s destinations and develop tourism-related initiatives. Collections at the Lower Magat Eco‑Tourism Park (LMET) totaled P6.8 million in 2025, down from P9 million in 2024 — a 24.4-percent decrease, Costales said. She attributed the decline to the temporary closure of the LMET Conference Center after damage from Typhoon Uwan, and to reservation cancellations caused by road construction and heavy traffic along portions of the Maharlika Highway. She said the conference center and other halls at LMET are among the park’s major income-generating facilities, making their temporary closure a significant factor in the decline in collections. Costales, however, said the outlook remained positive, noting that LMET’s accommodations reached full occupancy during a recent long holiday weekend. This, she said, indicated the park’s strong potential to recover revenue once rehabilitation work is completed. LMET remained Nueva Vizcaya’s top tourist attraction in 2025, drawing 37,284 visitors. The province is also preparing to host next year the International Summit on the Conservation of the Gray-faced Buzzard, expected to draw birdwatchers and conservationists from Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Borneo. Costales said the province is likewise promoting airsports, including paragliding, and supporting the reactivation of Bagabag Airport to expand tourism opportunities in Nueva Vizcaya.